Machine for cutting peeler cores on logs into studs and chips

ABSTRACT

A core handling apparatus for supporting a core or log for horizontal longitudinal advancement along a path past various tool heads operable to cut the core or log into a plurality of studs and chips. The core and log handling apparatus includes structure operable to move cores or logs along a predetermined path, independent of any displacement of the core or log other than longitudinally of the path, and the tool heads are disposed along the intended path of movement of the associated cores and logs and operable to sequentially chip material from the opposite sides of the cores or logs to form parallel opposite side planar faces on the cores or logs, chip material from the upper and lower portions of the cores or logs to form planar parallel upper and lower surfaces on the cores or logs, and form at least one horizontal kerf through the cores or logs after the latter have been shaped.

United States Patent [191 Morton et al.

[ MACHINE FOR CUTTING PEELER CORES ON LOGS INTO STUDS AND CHIPS [76]Inventors: David L. Morton, 4503 Federal Way,

Boise, Idaho 83705; Adrian L. Landers, 570 Courthouse St., Many, La.71449 [22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 129,338

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 816,355, April15, 1969, Pat. No.

144/312, 246, 247, 248, 162 R, 176 R, 242; 143/55 R, 55 A [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,487,866 1/1970 Mitten 144/3122,819,744 l/l958 Chuet et al. 144/247 Laughton 144/247 [451 July 3,1973

Primary Examiner-Donald R. Schran Attorney-Lawrence E. Laubscher [57]ABSTRACT A core handling apparatus for supporting a core or log forhorizontal longitudinal advancement along a path past various tool headsoperable to cut the core or log into a plurality of studs and chips. Thecore and log handling apparatus includes structure operable to movecores or logs along a predetermined path, independent of anydisplacement of the core or log other than longitudinally of the path,and the tool heads are disposed along the intended path of movement ofthe associated cores and logs and operable to sequentially chip materialfrom the opposite sides of the cores or logs to form parallel oppositeside planar faces on the cores or logs, chip material from the upper andlower portions of the cores or logs to form planar parallel upper andlower surfaces on the cores or logs, and form at least one horizontalkerf through the cores or logs after the latter have been shaped.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJULB ma 3.742.993

David L. Morfan Adrian L Landers 1N VENTORS MQQM Ammq

PATENTED JUL 3 I975 SMETEHEQ David L. Morton Adrian L. Lander:

Altering sum 3 n! 4 PAIENIEUJULB I973 INVENT RS David L. Morfah AdrianL. Loaders Ammo PATENTED JUL3 I975 David L. Marion L'. Lander:

Adrian MACHINE FOR CUTTING PEELER CORES ON LOGS INTO STUDS AND CHIPSThis application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.816,355 filed Apr. 15,1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,627,005.

The machine of the instant invention has been specifically designed tosupport and longitudinally displace a peeler core or log along apredetermined path having tool heads spaced therealong operable totransform the cylindrical core or log into a plurality of pieces oflumber in a single pass of the core or log through the machine. Inaddition, the machine of the instant invention is operable to firsttransform the cylindrical core or log into a single piece of lumberwhich is generally rectangular in cross-section and which is thereaftercut into a plurality of smaller pieces of lumber of rectangularcross-section. Further, during the process of transforming thecylindrical core into a single large piece of lumber of rectangularcross-section, instead of merely forming four longitudinal kerfs in acore or log in order to form the first large rectangular cross-sectionpiece of lumber, the cylindrical core or log is .initially transformedinto the single large cross-sectional area piece of lumber by rotarychipping heads operable to rapidly chip away the necessary wood in orderto transform the cylindrical core or log into a single largecross-sectional area piece of lumber. By this method of transformation,the waste material is already cut up into fine chips and may thereforebe readily commerically disposed of for the production of wood pulp.

The machine is constructed in a manner whereby the cylindrical core orlog to be transformed into rectangular pieces of lumber are preciselyguidingly supported for movement along their intended path and drivenalong their intended path at a prescribed rate proportional to the speedof operation of the chipping heads which are to act upon the cylindricalcores or logs during their transformation into single large pieces oflumber of rectangular cross-sectional shape.

The main object of this invention is to provide a machine which will becapable of cutting peeler cores or logs into a plurality of studs.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, is to provide a machine which will be capable ofrapidly cutting a peeler core or logs into studs with a single pass ofeach peeler core or log through the machine.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine inaccordance with the preceding objects which, in the transformation of apeeler core or log into a plurality of studs, is operable to transformall of the waste material either into chips or into sawdust for readyprocessing into wood pulp.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine in accordancewith the preceding objects which will be capable of efficientlytransforming cylindrical peeler cores or logs into a plurality of studswhile the peeler cores or logs are being rapidly advanced through themachine at a speed slightly greater than 1 foot per second, or at anyspeed proportional to the speed of operation of the chipping heads.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machineincluding a guidance and propelling system of unique design andconstruction so as to give exceptional accuracy in the sizing of thestuds or cores and exceptional quality to the surfaces on the lumberdeveloped by the machine.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a machine in accordance with the preceding objects which willconform to conventional forms of operation, be of simple constructionand easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economicallyfeasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the machine of the instant invention withopen positions of the pivotally supported opposite side chipper heads ofthe machine illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view of most of the working componentsof the machine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional viewtaken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the cutter blade members of themachine;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9-9 of FIG.7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view illustratingthe manner in which the opposite side chip cutting heads of the machineact upon a peeler core or log being advanced through the machine;

FIG. 11 is a schematic top plan view of the assemblage illustrated inFIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse vertical sectional viewillustrating a peeler core or log slidingly supported and cradled fromthe lower peeler core support means of the machine and with the outlineof the plurality of studs into which the core or log is to be cutillustrated in phantom lines.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates the machine of the instant invention. The machine10 includes a frame structure referred to in general by the referencenumeral 12 and has one end thereof aligned with the outlet end of asupply conveyor assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral14. The supply conveyor assembly 14 includes an elevated transverselyextending stop bar 16 adjacent its discharge end against which a peelercore or log greater in diameter than that which may be handled by themachine 10 will abut. In addition, the supply conveyor assembly 14includes opposite side plates 18 between which an endless conveyor 20has its upper reach disposed and which guide a peeler core .or

log such as core or log 22 from the discharge end of the supply conveyorassembly to the inlet end of the machine 10.

The machine 10 includes a longitudinally extending invertedchannel-shaped member 24 at its inlet end including a pair of dependingsides or flanges 26 interconnected at their upper edges by means of a bight portion 28. A pair of upstanding flanges 30 are secured to andproject above the upper marginal edge portions of the flanges 26. Theends of the flanges 30 at the inlet end of the machine 10 are disposedbetween the adjacent ends of the opposite side plates 18 and a peelercore or log 22 being discharged from the supply conveyor assembly 14 isautomatically guidingly engaged and supportingly cradled between theends of the flanges 30 adjacent the supply conveyor assembly 14.

The machine 10 includes a centering and drive wheel assembly generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 32 mounted on the output shaftportion 34 of a gear reduction assembly 36 whose input shaft portion 38is driven from a motor 40 supported from the free end of a verticallyswingable support arm 42 mounted at the inlet end of the machine 10 in amanner such that the free end of the support arm 42 overlies thedischarge end of the supply conveyor assembly 14. The motor 40 and gearreduction assembly 36 are each supported from the free end of the arm 42and the output shaft of the motor 40 is coupled to the input shaftportion 38 of the gear reduction assembly 36 by means of an endlessflexible belt 44.

The centering and drive wheel assembly 32 is toothed and concavo-convexin longitudinal cross-sectional shape and therefore has a centeringeffect as well as a driving action on the forwardly advancing end ofeach core or log moved toward the assembly 32 on the supply conveyorassembly 14. The support arm 42 is limited in downward swinging movementat its rear end by means of a movement limiting assembly 46 and themachine 10 includes a plurality of further longitudinally spaced drivewheel assemblies generally referred to by the reference numerals 48, 50and 52. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a pair of axiallyspaced toothed wheel disks 54 mounted on the output shaft portion of agear reduction assembly 56 driven from an electric motor 58 through anendless flexible belt 60. Further, each of the drive wheel assembliesincludes a support arm 62 similar to the support arm 42 and which isalso limited in downward movement at its free end by means of a movementlimiting assembly 64 corresponding to the movement limiting assembly 46.

It may be noted, however, from FIG. of the drawings that the axialspacing between the disks 54 of the drive wheel assembly 48 is greaterthan the axial spacing between the disks 54 of the drive wheel assembly50. Further, the spacing between the disks 54 of the assembly 50 isgreater than the spacing between the disks 54 of the assembly 52. FromFIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings it may be seen thatthe toothed wheel disks54 therefore engage the core 22 along six generally parallel and spacedapart paths 66 extending along the top of the core or log 22. In thismanner, each of the driven and toothed wheel disks 54 frictionallyengages the bits into the core or log in a manner such that constantforward linear speed of the core or log-22 is assured. Of course,inasmuch as the arms 42 and 62 are free to swing vertically at theirfree ends through limited arcs, the arms 42 and 62 automaticallycompensate for cores or logs of different diameters passing through themachine 10. Also, as previously set forth, the elevated transverseabutment 16 is provided to insure that a core or log such as core or log22 but of a diameter too large to be handled by the machine will not beable to be advanced forwardly by the conveyor assembly 14 toward themachine 10 past the elevated transverse abutment 16 and in position tobe engaged by either of the drive wheel assemblies 32, 48, 50 or 52.

At this point it is believed that it should be pointed out that inaddition to the axially spaced toothed disks 54 biting intoeach core orlog 22 along parallel butspaced apart paths, each core or log 22 ispushed downwardly upon the upper marginal edge portions of the flanges30 by its own weight and by the downward forces acting upon the cores orlogs 22 by the arms 42 and 62 and their respective drive wheelassemblies. This of course causes the cores or logs 22 to beardownwardly upon the upper marginal edge portions of the flanges 30 witha greater force than the weight of the cores or logs with the resultthat the upper marginal edge portions of the flanges 30 not only serveto guidingly support and cradle the cores or logs 22 but also to scoreor inwardly depress the outer surface portions of the cores or logs 22engaged by the flanges 30 so as to form shallow longitudinal grooves 68in each of the cores or logs 22 passed through the machine 10. Thesegrooves 68 and the paths 66, together with the cradling action of theflanges 30 on the cores or logs 22 insure that the cores or logs 22 willbe guidingly supported and shifted through the machine 10 in a mannerpositively preventing lateral or rotational movement of the cores orlogs. Accordingly, quite accurate machining or chipping and sawing ofthe cores or logs into a plurality of studs is made possible.

The frame 12 includes a pair of opposite side door assemblies 70 and 72which are substantially identical except for being right and left handedand which are swingable from the solid line positions illustrated inFIG. 1 of the drawings to the phantom line positions illustrated inFIG. 1. Any suitable means (not shown) may be utilized for securing thedoor assemblies 70 and 72 in the closed positions and each of theassemblies includes an electric motor 74 including an output shaft 76upon which a generally diametric fly bar 78 is mounted. The oppositeends of the fly bars 78 are spaced unequally from the axis of rotationof the output shafts 76 and the ends of the fly bars 78 includeidentical cutter blade members 80 and 82 removably secured thereto byfasteners such as fasteners 84 illustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS.7-9 it will be seen that the cutter blade member 80 includes planarparallel upper and lower surfaces 80a and 80b, respectively, a verticalfirst side wall 800, and an outwardly inclined second side wall 80d. Atone end the cutter member includes a vertical end wall 80c, and at theother end the cutting member contains a V-shaped notch that defines apair of bevelled angularly-arranged cutting edges 86, 88. The horizontalcutting edge 86 formed on the lower surface 80b is arranged at an angleof about 30 to the longitudinal axis of the cutting member, and thevertical edge 88 formed on the inclined wall 80c is arranged at an angleof about 45 to the horizontal, whereby an obtuse angle is definedbetween the cutting edges 86 and 88 as shown in FIG. 7. The cuttermember 82 has a corresponding construction. As will be described ingreater detail below with regard to FIG. 10, the cutter members are soconnected in an inclined manner to the ends of the fly bar that thecutting edges are generally parallel with the plane of rotation of thefly bar and face forwardly of the direction of rotation thereof.

The machine additionally includes a second pair of electric motors 90which may be seen to best advantage in FIG. 4 of the drawings and whichalso have output shaft portions 92 upon which fly bars 94 correspondingto fly bars 78 are mounted, the fly bars 94 including cutter blademembers 96 and 98 corresponding to the cutter blade members 80 and 82.From FIG. 4 of the drawings it may be seen that the fly bars are rotatedabout vertical axes spaced slightly to one side of the longitudinalcenterline of the core or log 22 and from FIG. 3 of the drawings it maybe seen that the fly bars 78 are rotated about axes spaced above thecenterline of the core or log 22.

The fly bars 78 are disposed in a housing-like structure 100 supportedwithin the frame structure 12 and the fly bars 94 are supported in asimilar housing structure 102 supported within the frame structure 12.Suitable ducting 104 and 106 communicates with the interiors of thehousing structures 100 and 102 for conveying chips cut from the core orlog 22 by the fly bars 78 and 94 to a suitable chip removal system 108.

Spaced toward the outlet end of the machine 10 from the motors 90 are apair of vertically disposed motors 110 and 112 including upwardlyprojecting output shafts 114 upon which a pair of vertically'spaced andhorizontally disposed circular saw blades 116 are mounted. Correspondingsaw blades are horizontally aligned and adjacent outer peripheralportions of the saw blades 116 extend through the same vertical planeextending longitudinally of the machine 10 whereby the kerfs cut in thecores or logs 22 by the saw blades 116 on opposite sides of the machine10 will overlap each other.

As the cores or logs 22 leave the housing structure 102 the cores orlogs 22 are supported from a horizontal bearing plate 118 which extendsfrom the discharge end of the housing structure 102 to the outlet end ofthe machine 10, the flanges 30 terminating at their ends adjacent thedischarge end of the machine 10 in the inlet end of the housingstructure 102. Also, the housing structure 102 includes upper and loweranvil plates 120 and 122 which are adjustably supported from the framestructure 12 as desired so as to align with the corresponding planarside surface formed on the log, the anvil plates being provided on theside of the longitudinal centerline of the core or log 22 remote fromthe side of the centerline to which the axes of rotation of the outputshaft portions 92 of the motor 90 extend. In this manner, the climb outcutting action of the fly bars 94 tend to urge the core or log 22against the abut-' ment plates 120 and 122. Further, the axes ofrotation of the shaft portions 76 are disposed above the center of thecore or log 22 and therefore the climb out cutting action of the flybars 78 on the core 22 tend to hold the core or log 22 down in contactwith the flanges 30.

From FIG. 10 of the drawings it may be seen that the axes of rotation ofeach of the fly bars 78 and 94, the direction of the rotation of thesefly bars and the depth of cut made by the cutting blade members of thefly bars 78 and 94 insure that the cutting action of the cutter blademembers 80, 82, 96 and 98 is such that the cutting or chipping strokesare inclined at least slightly in the direction in which the core 22 isbeing advanced,

the cutting blade members 82 and 98 cutting from point A to point B inFIG. 10 and the cutting blade members and 96 cutting from point C topoint D in FIG. 10.

The cutting blade members 82 and 98 are spaced approximately 74 inch to1 inch back away from the planes in which the cutter blade members 80and 96 swing. In this manner, the cutter blade members 82 and 98 removeall but the last A inch to 1 inch of wood from the sides and top andbottom of the cores or logs 22 and the cutter blade members 80 and 96remove the final 54 inch to 1 inch of material. Of course, the cutterblade members 80 and 96 are carried by the shorter ends of the fly bars78 and 94 and it is to be noted that the cores or logs 22 arelongitudinally advanced at a linear speed proportional to the rotatingspeed of the fly bars 78 and 94 whereby the cores or logs 22 areadvanced inch to 1 inch each revolution of the fly bars 78 and 94. Asshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 10, each of the cutter members is connected'withits respective fly bar in an inclined manner with the cutting edgesthereof lying in a plane generally parallel with the plane of rotationof the fly bar.

As the squared cores or logs 22 move from between the fly bars 94 theyare guided by vertical rollers 122, 124 and 126 journaled for rotationabout fixed axes as well as drive rollers 128 and 130 disposed on theopposite side of the machine 10, mounted on horizontally swingable arms132 and 134 and yieldingly urged into contact with the cores or logs 22by fluid actuators 136 and 138 acting upon the arms 132 and 134. Therollers 128 and 130 are fluted and the rollers 124, 126 and 130 includehorizontally aligned circumferential flanges 140 and 142 spacedaxiallyof the rollers which are also horizontally registered with the sawblades 116 and are therefore receivable in the kerfs made by the sawblades 116. Further, during movement of the cores or logs 22 from thehousing structure 102 the cores or logs 22 are urged downwardly againstthe plate 118 by a vertically swingable overhead roller 146 and thecores or logs 22 are urged into tight sliding frictional engagement withthe abutment plates 120 and 122 by means of a horizontally swingablepressure roller 148, see FIG. 5.

The plate 118 extends between the ripsaw assemblies defined by the sawblades 116, see FIG. 1 and the ripsaw assemblies include partialcylindrical shrouds 149 in which the corresponding saw blades 116 aresubstantially fully enclosed and which include outlet neck portions 150to which a suitable sawdust removal means may be connected.

In review of the operation of the machine 10 it is pointed out that theconveyor assembly 14 conveys peeler cores or logs 22 toward the inletend of the machine 10. Cores or logs 22 which are too large to behandled by the machine 10 abut the elevated horizontal transverse member16 and these large cores are removed from the conveyor assembly 14 byhand or other means. As a core or log member 22 which is not too largeto be handled by the machine 10 begins to move off the outlet end of theconveyor assembly 14, the leading end of the core or log 22 is engagedby the centering and drive wheel assembly 32 which automaticallyproperly centers the cylindrical core or log 22 in alignment with thecenter of the spacing between the flanges 30. Therefore, the cor or log22 moves from the conveyor assembly 14 and its forward or leading enddrops onto and is slidingly engaged with and supported from the flanges30 in a cradling manner. Then, the leading end of the core or log member22 passes under the drive wheel assembly 48 whose disk members 54 engageand bite into the core or log member 22 along the remote paths 66, seeFIG. 3. Thereafter, the core or log passes under the drive wheelassembly 50 and the drive wheel assembly 52 with the disk members 54 ofthese assemblies engaging the cores or logs 22 along the correspondingpaths 66. As the leading ends of the cores or logs 22 pass beneath thedrive wheel assembly 50 and move toward the drive wheel assembly 52, thefly bars 78 form planar surfaces on the opposite sides of the cores orlogs 22. Thereafter, as the leading ends of the cores or logs 22 passfrom beneath the drive wheel assembly 52, the fly bars 94 form planarsurfaces on the upper and lower portions of the cores or logs 22.Thereafter, while the core or log is being driven by roller 128 andguided by roller 122 and also held down upon the plate 118 by roller146, the squared core or log 22 has a pair of horizontal kerfs formedtherethrough by the saw blades 116 and the flanges 140 and 142 on therollers 124, 126 and 130 are received in these kerfs to prevent theplurality of studs formed thereby from pinching the saw blades 116.

A suitable gear head motor 160, see FIG. 2, is provided and is drivinglyconnected to the rollers 128 and 130 in any convenient manner wherebythese rollers may effectively drive the cores or logs 22 after the rearends of the latter have moved from beneath the drivewheel-assembly 52.

Because of the precise cutting edges of the cutter blade members mountedon the fly bars 78 and 94 in radial as well as axial staggeredrelationship, the fly bars are able to chip material from the oppositesides, top and bottom of the cores or logs 22 in an efficient mannerleaving a relatively smooth squared core or log to be cut into aplurality of studs by the saw blades 116. The horsepower requirements ofthe various motors provided on the machine is maintained at a minimumdue to the efficient cutting action of the fly bars 78 and 94 and theflanges 140 and 142 which are received in the kerfs formed by thecircular saw blades 1 16.

The upper motor 90 is supported from an L-shaped and inverted mountingplate 164 whose vertical flange 166 includes outwardly projecting studs168 slidable through vertical slots 170 formed in a second mountingplate 180 supported from the adjacent side of the frame structure 12.The studs 168 have their free ends secured through the slots 170 bymeans of threaded nuts 182 and the mounting plate 180 includes ahorizontal flange portion 184 hqving a threaded bolt 186 journalledtherethrough against axial displacement relative to the flange portion184. The bolt 186 is vertically disposed and is threadedly engagedthrough a threaded bore 188 formed vertically through the upperhorizontal leg 190 of the mounting bracket or plate 164. Accordingly, inorder to adjust the height of the upper motor 90, the nuts 182 may beloosened and the bolt 176 may be rotated so as to cause verticaladjustment of the motor 90. Thereafter, the nuts 182 are tightened so asto maintain the upper motor 90 in adjusted vertically shifted position.

Although not a part of the supporting and guiding system for logs'whichincludes the flanges 30, the horizontal bearing plate 118, the anvil orabutment plates and 122 and the various horizontally and downwardlyurged guide rollers, the fly bars 78 and 94 each include a centrallydisposed disk 192 which is generally truncated cone-shaped inconfiguration and disposed concentric relative to the axis of rotationof the corresponding fly bar. Each of the disks 92 includes a smoothouter surface disposed normal tothe axis of rotation of thecorresponding fly bar and this smooth surface is spaced very slightlyfrom the surface generated on the associated core or log by the fly barfrom which the disk 192 is supported. Accordingly, while the outersmooth faces of the disks 192 do not constantly engage the planarsurfaces generated on the cores or studs 22, they are spaced ever soslightly outwardly from these planar surfaces so as to immediatelyresist any tendency of the adjacent portions of the cores or studs tovibrate laterally due to the cutting action of the various fly bars.

By providing the disks 192, extremely smooth planar surfaces may begenerated on the four sides of the logs or cores 22.

if it is desired, the guide or anvil plates 120 and 122 may be mountedso as to be horizontally adjustable transversely of the path of movementof the logs or cores through the machine and the motors 74 may also besupported for horizontal adjustment, when desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention:

to the exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 1. Apparatus for use in connectionwith rotary chipping heads for forming planar side surfaces on a peelercore or log workpiece, comprising a. a frame; b. workpiece support meansconnected with said frame, said support means including a pair ofparallel spaced horizontal upstanding support flanges (30) havinglaterally spaced upper marginal edge portions for slidably supportingand cradling the workpiece; c. means (14) for introducing the workpiecelongitudinally upon said support flanges; and d. upper holddown anddrive means for driving said workpiece longitudinally of, and forbiasing said workpiece downwardly upon, said support flanges,

said upper holddown and drive means including 1. drive wheel means (48)connected for free vertical movement relative to said frame, said drivewheel means applying to said workpiece a downwardly directed force ofsuch a magnitude as to cause the adjacent upper marginal edge portionsof said support flanges to score and form shallow longitudinal groovesin the workpiece; and

2. motor means (58) for driving said drive wheel means, whereby theworkpiece is positively supported between said drive wheel means andsaid support flanges and is prevented from lateral or rotationalmovement relative to said support flanges by the cooperation between theupper marginal 'edge portions of said support flanges and the shallowgrooves formed in the bottom of the workpiece, thereby to permitaccurate chipping of the workpiece by said chipping heads.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the adjacent upper marginaledges of said support flanges are spaced apart by a distance ofapproximately 3 inches, and further wherein said drive wheel meansinclude a toothed outer periphery, the downwardly directed force of saiddrive wheel means being sufficient to cause the toothed periphery ofsaid drive wheel means to bite into the workpiece and thereby supportthe upper portion of the workpiece against lateral movement relative tothe frame.

3. Apparatus for use in connection with rotary chipping heads forforming planar side surfaces on a peeler core or log workpiece,comprising a. a lower support assembly including a pair of parallelspaced horizontal upstanding support flanges (30) having parallel uppermarginal edge portions for lengthwise slidingly supporting and cradlingthe workpiece;

b. means (14) for introducing the workpiece longitudinally upon saidflanges; and

c. an upper holddown and drive assembly including a plurality of upperholddown and drive means (48, 50, 52) spaced longitudinally above saidsupport flanges for frictionally and drivingly engaging said workpieceand for yieldingly resisting upward movement of said core relative tosaid flanges, thereby to prevent lateral shifting of said workpiecerelative to said support flanges,

1. each of said upper holddown and drive means including a drive wheeljournaled for rotation about an axis extending transversely above thelongitudinal path of travel of said workpiece, each of said drive wheelsincluding a pair of externally toothed axially spaced end wheel disks(54) spaced equally on opposite sides of the vertical plane containingsaid path, respectively;

2. the axial spacing distance between the disks of successive drivewheels in the direction of travel of said workpiece being progressivelyreduced, whereby said toothed wheel disks engage the workpiece alongseparate parallel and spaced apart paths extending along the top of theworkpiece.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said upper holddown anddrive assembly includes at least three drive wheels, and furtherincluding between a pair of said drive wheels chipping head means (80,82) for forming vertical planar side wall surfaces on opposite sides ofsaid workpiece during transport by said holddown and drive assembly.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said upper assembly includesmeans yieldingly urging each of said drive wheels downwardly toward alower limit position spaced above said lower assembly.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said support flanges arespaced apart approximately 3 inches. k i

1. Apparatus for use in connection with rotary chipping heads forforming planar side surfaces on a peeler core or log workpiece,comprising a. a frame; b. workpiece support means connected with saidframe, said support means including a pair of parallel spaced horizontalupstanding support flanges (30) having laterally spacEd upper marginaledge portions for slidably supporting and cradling the workpiece; c.means (14) for introducing the workpiece longitudinally upon saidsupport flanges; and d. upper holddown and drive means for driving saidworkpiece longitudinally of, and for biasing said workpiece downwardlyupon, said support flanges, said upper holddown and drive meansincluding
 1. drive wheel means (48) connected for free vertical movementrelative to said frame, said drive wheel means applying to saidworkpiece a downwardly directed force of such a magnitude as to causethe adjacent upper marginal edge portions of said support flanges toscore and form shallow longitudinal grooves in the workpiece; and 2.motor means (58) for driving said drive wheel means, whereby theworkpiece is positively supported between said drive wheel means andsaid support flanges and is prevented from lateral or rotationalmovement relative to said support flanges by the cooperation between theupper marginal edge portions of said support flanges and the shallowgrooves formed in the bottom of the workpiece, thereby to permitaccurate chipping of the workpiece by said chipping heads.
 2. motormeans (58) for driving said drive wheel means, whereby the workpiece ispositively supported between said drive wheel means and said supportflanges and is prevented from lateral or rotational movement relative tosaid support flanges by the cooperation between the upper marginal edgeportions of said support flanges and the shallow grooves formed in thebottom of the workpiece, thereby to permit accurate chipping of theworkpiece by said chipping heads.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the adjacent upper marginal edges of said support flanges arespaced apart by a distance of approximately 3 inches, and furtherwherein said drive wheel means include a toothed outer periphery, thedownwardly directed force of said drive wheel means being sufficient tocause the toothed periphery of said drive wheel means to bite into theworkpiece and thereby support the upper portion of the workpiece againstlateral movement relative to the frame.
 2. the axial spacing distancebetween the disks of successive drive wheels in the direction of travelof said workpiece being progressively reduced, whereby said toothedwheel disks engage the workpiece along separate parallel and spacedapart paths extending along the top of the workpiece.
 3. Apparatus foruse in connection with rotary chipping heads for forming planar sidesurfaces on a peeler core or log workpiece, comprising a. a lowersupport assembly including a pair of parallel spaced horizontalupstanding support flanges (30) having parallel upper marginal edgeportions for lengthwise slidingly supporting and cradling the workpiece;b. means (14) for introducing the workpiece longitudinally upon saidflanges; and c. an upper holddown and drive assembly including aplurality of upper holddown and drive means (48, 50, 52) spacedlongitudinally above said support flanges for frictionally and drivinglyengaging said workpiece and for yieldingly resisting upward movement ofsaid core relative to said flanges, thereby to prevent lateral shiftingof said workpiece relative to said support flanges,
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 3, wherein said upper holddown and drive assemblyincludes at least three drive wheels, and further including between apair of said drive wheels chipping head means (80, 82) for formingvertical planar side wall surfaces on opposite sides of said workpieceduring transport by said holddown and drive assembly.
 5. Apparatus asdefined in claim 4, wherein said upper assembly includes meansyieldingly urging each of said drive wheels downwardly toward a lowerlimit position spaced above said lower assembly.
 6. Apparatus as definedin claim 5, wherein said support flanges are spaced apart approximately3 inches.